Odontonema cuspidatum, Odontonema strictum

USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map

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Firespike is a showy evergreen shrub with sparse, stiff branches that grow mostly straight up to about 6 ft (1.8 m) tall. It has shiny dark green leaves with wavy margins and long pointed tips.From late summer through winter firespike produces abundant 9-12 in (23-30.5 cm) upright panicles of brilliant red tubular flowers. Firespike likes moist but well-drained soil. Once established it can tolerate all but the longest droughts. Softwood cuttings are very easy to root, and they will bloom in their first year. Specimen plant. Hummingbirds love it.

Similar plants:

• Pulchranthus adenostachyus, Odontonema adenostachyum (Pulchranthus)
• Thyrsacanthus callistachyus, Odontonema callistachyum (Fire Spike)